[PGT] Flames defeat Canucks 4-3 in OT

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Igster

Funny the different views watching the game. I thought Wilson was slow and a turnover machine. I doubt he gets a contract. I had high hopes. Kulak had a very good game. Much better than Wilson and very poised, even under intense pressure.

I agree. There was a stretch in the third where he gave the pick away twice and the boards and then lost a board battle.

[Royle9]

I honestly see Kulak as the next Brodie, they play a very similar game. His skating looks flawless out there, and his poise with the puck and attention to detail is pretty spot on. The guy never panic's it seems and with Brodie being out for 3-6 weeks and Nakladal out as well I truly believe Kulak has played his way onto the flames.

I think if Engeland goes down or something Wilson would slot in there but the mobility needed to take over Brodie's spot is right up Kulaks alley. Truth be told I used to think Kulak was going no where, but he's proved me wrong big time and I'll eat crow for it.

[druetetective]

Iv'e been high on Kulak for a very long time, Always insisting he was our 2nd best D prospect. (after Wotherspoon at 1st and later Hickey).

It was absurd how underrated he was for a while. I've seen numerous top 25 prospect lists he wasn't apart of.

[Torrie the Whaler]

Originally Posted by cleveland steam whistle

backlund not hurt, that's un-possible.

inconceivable!

[GioforPM]

It wouldn't take much of an injury to keep a vet like Backlund out of preseason games.

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

^^ True about Stajan, but was surprising to me was his speed. He looked really explosive out there. Perhaps more of an indictment on the Nucks, but he was really pushing the play.

On D, I think Kulak, Wilson and Nakladal (if healthy) are the last ones pushing for 7d. Wotherspoon has been just OK to me.

Stajan's speed is what surprised me too. The type of passes he made though are the kind of passes he's done his entire career. I wouldn't be surprised if close to half of his career assists are from behind the net. Bollig looked more mobile too.

I've been impressed by Kulak and Sieloff on defense. Sieloff looks like he may have the strength to play his style at the NHL level now. Wotherspoon also looked good, but didn't look as tough to play against as Sieloff. Wotherspoon is probably more proficient offensively though.

On forward, I was impressed with Klimchuck. He was strong on the puck, winning board battles, and driving the net. I think he'll do well in Stockton this year.

Porier looked slow and weak on the boards. I remember this happened to Backlund as he put on size and strength for a couple years too, so perhaps it's just going to take him some time to get his quickness back after putting on more muscle. It's also possible he hasn't completely recovered from his injuries.

[IgiTang]

Man oh man... Eating alot of crow from these two games on Stajan. He was an absolute beast. He was seeing the ice and skating faster than I'd ever seen him. Maybe the best I've seen him play. Perhaps he read CP and seen my post and was like f*** that igitang guy, I'm sticking around.

Good for him though!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by 868904

Really starting to wonder what is up with Poirier. The speed, the shot, the tenacity that you see in highlights and read about just isn't being shown at the NHL level. I don't know if he's being too tentative or what but it's getting a little worrisome. I feel like he's almost thinking too much out there, rather than just playing.

He probably just needs more time in the AHL to work on things. Not unusual for a prospect like him.

If he isn't pushing for a roster spot next year at this time, then I might start to worry.

[Hatter]

I agree with a lot of other posters here. I'm not sure if he changed his training regimen this year or what, but Stajan looked blindingly fast out there last night.

He was never obviously slow, but in past seasons has seemed very deliberate in making his way around the ice. He's always been a pretty cerebral player, so if he really has improved his skating speed there could be good things coming from #18 this year.

[Street Pharmacist]

Is it just me or does it seem like the Sedins were skating in mud last night. They've always been slow, but wow. Those are some of the slowest NHLers on the planet

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Is it just me or does it seem like the Sedins were skating in mud last night. They've always been slow, but wow. Those are some of the slowest NHLers on the planet

Well, they are 35 after all. We were reminded about that several times during the broadcast in case we didn't know or remember.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Igster

Well, they are 35 after all. We were reminded about that several times during the broadcast in case we didn't know or remember.

Even still. They're slower than Jagr

[Enoch Root]

They were very slow, but I doubt they cared in the slightest. 35 year olds with Art Ross trophies rarely get excited about pre-season.

Was awesome to watch our 30-somethings outwork and outplay them though.

LOVE our culture.

And that was the best thing about Stajan last night. It was great to see him play well. But what REALLY mattered was that he worked his tail off and was a fantastic role model for the culture.

[foshizzle11]

I finally got to watch the highlights, I was very impressed with Stajan's skill tonight, wow. Some pretty slick passing out there from the vet.

Imagine we get to see our 4th line putting consistent points this season, we will be laughing!

Great to see our young D standing tall and helping us win, they did look poised out there from the little I saw. Calm and confident.

BT and Co have some tough, tough decisions to make. This is coming down to the wire and I bet we see a lot of changes to our lineup this year from the start to the end of the season. Guys are pushing and it is very exciting.

Great job by Hartley as coaching staff for creating this atmosphere and giving every player a pchance to be on the team no matter your pay scale.

Love this team.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Is it just me or does it seem like the Sedins were skating in mud last night. They've always been slow, but wow. Those are some of the slowest NHLers on the planet

They've never been really fast, they're more along the line of cyclers on the board and protecting the puck really well. But I think that Canuck fans are going to be sad to see them sharply decline this year, they're not guys that should be your primary guys that you build your team around.

Plus when you watched the Flames and Canucks last year most teams are going to do the same and not chase them along the boards and just let them cycle away while watching their passing lanes.

[Karl]

As swokhard mentioned, Stajan has always been a pretty good passer, and that was on full display last night to say the least. And, as GioforPM said, this really shouldn't be surprising considering when Staj is given any chance with better offensive opportunities, he's shown he can produce decent offense.

Also, as sworkhard and others also noted, he also looked considerably faster last night than usual. That was encouraging to see, and that's the only thing we should really be surprised about from that game last night regarding Stajan.

Good to see Matty show the passing abilities that he did back in 08-09 (and 09-10 with the Leafs before coming here).

And of course, great on Bollig to score those too. Hopefully this game also gets Bollig's ketchup bottle going some more.

Good times.

[GoJetsGo]

Stajan is a Canuck killer.

Between the series winner in the playoffs and his three assists last night leading the AHL Flames over the NHL Canucks, I'm loving how much Vancouver fans must hate him as of late.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Stajan is a Canuck killer.

Between the series winner in the playoffs and his three assists last night leading the AHL Flames over the NHL Canucks, I'm loving how much Vancouver fans must hate him as of late.

I'm pretty sure Hartley was thinking rivalry when he played Ferland, Bennett (after playing in Calgary the previous night) and Stajan. Bollig too I guess. The only one missing was Engelland.